[Buckeyes1]

I've searched the forums and did not find any information that addressed my particular problem.

I have a 2005 SL600 I purchased used about two months ago. It came with an aftermarket Kenwood radio installed by the previous owner.

I had that radio removed and a stock 05' Command-Navigation head unit identical to what the car came with originally professionally installed.

Everything on it works fine except the satellite radio feature. My installer believes the control unit for the satellite radio located behind the drivers seat is at fault.

I called the dealer closest to me and they tell me the unit he's referring to is called a SDAR Receiver which they want $945.00 for.

Furthermore, they claim that according to my VIN my car was never originally wired for satellite radio and thus, that part alone might not solve the problem.

It's hard for me to believe a car that sold for $130K originally was not wired for a feature the radio clearly comes with.

Anybody here familiar with any of this that can offer some advice please?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TiffanyTwisted]

If you can post the VIN or send it in a private message, I can see if your vehicle was built with SDARS from the factory. Some are "prewired", "complete", or have none of the components.

 

[Buckeyes1]

Here it is and thank you!

 

[TiffanyTwisted]

I think the result surprises me as much as it will you - there is no mention of SiriusXM or SDARS as it is referred to internally and by suppliers for your car, even though it is a flagship R230. That is rather unusual as you will find SiriusXM in almost every W204.

 

[TiffanyTwisted]

I have attached the SA Codes (option codes) for my W221 S600, which is an unusual vehicle for Mercedes-Benz as it had nearly all options as standard equipment (with exceptions being upgraded wheels, iPod Integration Kit, etc) however most dealers ordered those options as well. You can see code 536 is for SiriusXM.

 

[TiffanyTwisted]

A coupe of additional documents that may be of assistance.

 

[Buckeyes1]

Thank you for this. This pretty much confirms what the dealer told me over the phone, my car was never wired for satellite radio.

But the head unit can play it. So what all do I need to get it....?

 

[TiffanyTwisted]

You would need to obtain a list of the parts needed to retrofit the unit into your vehicle and obtain them. I think the price for the parts at the dealer would likely be too expensive. It may be worth while to locate an 05+ SL that has this option at a recycling facility and that way you could obtain all the parts needed - you will need the tuner, antenna with coaxial cable that connects to the tuner - the wiring harness that powers the SDARS receiver, and the MOST fiber optic loop to loop it into the MOST ring, and have the COMAND/AGW coded to inform it that SDARS is present and is a valid selection. The audio is transported over the fiber optic as well as all the channel and song data.

 

[Buckeyes1]

You would need to obtain a list of the parts needed to retrofit the unit into your vehicle and obtain them. I think the price for the parts at the dealer would likely be too expensive. It may be worth while to locate an 05+ SL that has this option at a recycling facility and that way you could obtain all the parts needed - you will need the tuner, antenna with coaxial cable that connects to the tuner - the wiring harness that powers the SDARS receiver, and the MOST fiber optic loop to loop it into the MOST ring, and have the COMAND/AGW coded to inform it that SDARS is present and is a valid selection. The audio is transported over the fiber optic as well as all the channel and song data.

I have the SDARS receiver, I got one used in eBay. I have the MOST ring too. My installer will have to come up with the wiring bits.

Thanks again!

 

[Buckeyes1]

What does the tuner look like...?